PLANS to develop part of the former Cammell Laird shipyard are being opposed by Wirral council chiefs.

The scheme for a ski slope, concert arena and luxury apartments, which would have created around 4,000-jobs, was the brainchild of business consortium Reddington.

But council chiefs are warning that they want to see shipbuilding continue at the site.

They have told the firm to suspend demolition work and called for urgent talks about the future of the site.

Reddington will have to secure a change in the law if they want to go ahead because, under current rules, the land can only be used to create jobs in marine engineering.

Now politicians in Birkenhead said they won't let the law be changed.

Wirral Council leader Steve Foulkes said: "When Reddington bought the land, they knew the law prevents them from building any leisure facilities.

"I believe it is their aim to have the rules changed and then sell the land and make a profit.

"I do not believe there is a case for changing the law because I will never give up the ambition that the land can once again provide jobs for Merseyside's shipyard workers."

Birkenhead MP Frank Field added: "If they want to build a ski slope, they should go and do it New Brighton.

"The site was wickedly closed by BAE Systems but the shed and all the major structures are still fit for use in ship repair.

"I have confidence that marine work can be found for the yard in the very near future."

The site was part of the original Cammell Laird shipyard which built many historic naval and merchant vessels.

Reddington bought the land for &#xA3;10m in August. Last month, the company demolished three cranes which had become unsafe.

Mike Ryder, a partner in the Reddington consortium, said: "The council wants us to stop future demolition work, but the fact is that parts of the site are dangerous and, as a responsible employer, we have to take action to remove dangerous structures.

"We are accused of asset stripping, but the truth is no matter how hard we work to bring work back to the yard, it is not going to happen.

"The bottom line is that no one has been able to bring work here in ten years and it's time to look to the future.

"We will not rest until we realise our ambition to bring 4,000 jobs to Birken-head and Tranmere."